Senator Edward Kennedy: The Dream Shall Never Die
I grew up in Massachusetts in a house where politics was a big topic of conversation. My parents were Kennedy fans. I remember being about four years old curiously flipping through a huge book about John Kennedy that I could barely lift.
In November 1963, when President John Kennedy was shot and killed, I was six months old. Obviously I do not remember, but my mother told me I was in her lap while she and my father watched with tears as President Kennedy was laid to rest.
Despite all the talk about politics, the intense debates and the funny imitations my older brother did of Richard Nixon, I never held an interest in politics. I liked the good news…the comics…the stories that were fun and had some sense of hope. Politics seems like so much negative mumb0 jumbo to me. At times, at age 46, it still does.
However, as an adult with five children, I pay closer attention to the mumbo jumbo. I crave information and I love to learn about the history of our country…something I chose to just get an “A” in because I had to back in my school days. Not because I wanted to.
I was up writing a much lighter article when the news of Senator Edward Kennedy’s passing broke. At 77 he was right in the middle of my parents ages if they were here today. My mother would have been 74, my father 81. They would have been sad at his passing; he was a Kennedy, after all.
No matter what people’s political preference, the passing of a Kennedy is seemingly quite symbolic. There’s history there, especially for New Englanders. I lived in Boston for many years and remember seeing a much younger Edward Kennedy and his son Patrick at a bar when my sister and I were young singles. We watched him with both “Wow! He can toss one back” and “He’s a legend of sorts…he’s a Kennedy.” He was friendly and talkative, with that Boston accent that I so wish I had.
I realize that I am getting older when the passing of a older public figure makes me reflecton my really awesome childhood, my always interesting and incredible parents and the future of the country for my children.
I love Edward Kennedy’s speech “The Dream Shall Never Die” that he delivered at the 1980 Democratic Convention. You do not have to be a Kennedy Fan to appreciate it: The Dream Shall Never Die.
Rest in peace, Senator Kennedy.
Read more of my opinionated views: National Social Media Examiner
image: wikipedia.com
The Lion is Dead. Long Live the Dream.
Rest In Eternal Peace, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy
Heartfelt sympathies to your family.
It's good that there are people who have differing opinions. Mine was not about politics or someone who is dead and then a hero. He wasn't a hero and yes, someone died because of his carelessness. He's still a father, husband, person. Not a hero.
I never wrote about Michael Jackson being a hero. I did write that people just wrote about him for the hits and it wasn't about the person. He, too, was a human being who apparently did wrong–but wasn't convicted. I have no idea and he's dead so who will ever know. He's not a hero. He was a star and stars get talked about.That's the way it is. Good or bad.
My post was not really about Sen Kennedy's good/bad attributes. It was about growing up and now looking back that this is a part of MY history….not that his life (pos/neg) had any influence on mine, but that he was part of a family of prominent political people who were often talked about (and hundreds of others) in my house.
My heros were my parents. They are not alive. Maybe they made mistakes in their all too short lives but does it matter? I put them on a pedestal because I loved them.
It's a sad day when someone dies who actually DID contribute to many GOOD things in politics…and made a stupid mistake. Just like the 18 yr old in my state who had too much to drink at a party (and was headed to a prestigious school…no dummy) and ended up killing his friend by accident.
He didn't wake up and kill someone on purpose. I'm sure Mr Kennedy didn't take a drive to go kill the poor woman who died. And yes..he was a coward.
Are we all perfect? No way. I would never associate myself with anyone who thought they've never made a mistake in their life.
Bottom line: didn't write anywhere in my post that he was a saint. This world is so intent on crucifying everyone with negative…even at the time of death. Move on.
I always find it fascinating that people become saints when they die. Michael Jackson died, and no one even commented on the multiple investigations into child molestation.
Now Kennedy is dead, and no one seems to remember that he left a young woman to drown in 1969 (and didn't even bother to call for help).
I too ,grew up in New England ,understand all too well .
Senator Kennedy's passing does mark the end of an era in Massachusetts politics. While I am not a fan of the Senator's I cannot help but be reminded of the many things he did for our state in general and for the New Bedford area in particular. I am thankful for his significant contribution towards the creation of the National Park in New Bedford.
Whether you agreed with Kennedy or not, the passing of such a legendary figure always causes us to reflect on his accomplishments as well as our own mortality. I was in history class in junior high when John was shot and the teacher, Mrs. Gerome, told us he was assasinated… Didn’t even know what it meant at the time. Funny what we remember.